Marine mammal faces imminent extinction

There are less than 30 remaining worldwide.

Flip Nicklin/Minden Pictures/WWF

Earth’s rarest marine mammal, the vaquita, faces extinction if action is not taken immediately, Southlands Sun reports.

A campaign has been launched by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to save the vaquita. According to the WWF, there are fewer than 30 left.

The vaquita lives only in the northern part of the Islands and protected areas of the Gulf of the California World Heritage Site.

“WWF has spent over 10 years working with fishermen, the Mexican government and partner organisations to promote sustainable fisheries in the Upper Gulf of California. This work targets the recovery of the critically endangered vaquita, while maintaining the resources local communities depend on.

“But the threats faced today also require collective global action. An immediate, increased response from the Mexican government, World Heritage Committee and CITES parties, NGOs and civil society groups is needed to protect the last remaining vaquitas and set the Upper Gulf of California on a pathway to recovery,” read a statement from the WWF.

Vaquitas are rare types of porpoises, which are critically endangered. They have a grey body and a pale grey or white stomach, with dark patches around their eye and on their lips. They are the world’s most rare marine mammal and were first discovered in 1958.

If action is not taken, these rare creatures will surely face imminent extinction. Click here to sign the petition to protect the home of vaquitas.

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